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BRAVEST OF
THE BRAVE.
two chances of capturing it, besides keeping the enemy
broken and more busy in defending against two armies in-
stead of one.
‘The march was taken i up, but it soon became evident that
the Mexicans were determined to dispute the passage, and
Walker was ordered to join Captain McCulloch in the ad-
vance.
They had not proceeded more than two miles when, on
coming to a turn in the road,.they came upon the enemy to
the number of fifteen hundred, drawn up in line of battle
and all ready to receive them.
Captain Walker at once ordered his men to deploy to
the right and dismount. He was supported by. Duncan’s
battery and the light companies of Scott and Smith.
~The enemy at once opened fire, in which they were
joined by the battery on Independence Hill. The Rangers
answered by a rapid fire from their trusty rifles, every shot
from which meant a soldier’s life.
The Mexicans then prepared to charge, and as Walker
and a company of Rangers separated from the other com-
panies, he was obliged to receive the entire shock. ‘Then
: ensued a scene which for rapidity of movement and indi-
vidual daring was never surpassed in any: battle in the
world. :
Then it was the hardest part of the struggle took place.
Dalton’s horse had been shot under him; and he himself had
received two wounds, yet on foot, with his huge broad-
sword, he defended himself against three of the enemy, one
of whom he killed, while the other two were pickled by his
men.
In this strait Walker led the remainder of his Rangers to
the rescue, and soon forced his way to where they were.
But what life there was left in the Mexicans now. was di-
rected upon these terrible Texans, and a lively fight they
gave them, outnumbering them as they did ten to one.
But Walker and his men were equal to the emergency,
although there was no hope of holding their own against | -
such fearful odds. They literally hewed their way out of
the enemy’s center, and rejoined the remainder of the de-
tachment with the loss of only one man.
After the action General Worth moved his command
along the Saltillo road and took up a strong position, and
at once commenced the siege, while Duncan’s battery kept
up an artillery duel with the cannon posted on Tndepend-
ence Hill.
As soon as everything was in shape, Walker visited his
wounded Rangers, among whom was his lieutenant, Hank
Dalton. ,
CHAPTER XTV.
IN THE TIDE OF BATTLE.
i . -
General Worth lost but little time in getting his army
into position.
“When all was ready he sent for Captain Walker.
“T have named you the bravest of the brave. I now
you are ambitious. I must take’Federation Hill, You will
take command of one of the storming parties. I rely upon
you,” said the bluff soldier.
“You may do so, general,” said Walker, modestly.
“T know it. Assume command and stand ready for or-
ders.”
“T hasten to obey, general,” and salnting, the young
officer rode away to his command.
A portion of this new and temporary command was com-
posed of the Texan Rangers, dismounted, and the others .
were made up from various regiments, all being Picked
men, artillery, cavalry and militia.
When all was in readiness, General Worth rode among
the men, and, by a few words, nerved each heart to its ap-
parently desperate task,
“Soldiers, I want you to capture yonder height, Follow
your brave-leader and you will do it,” said he. ,
A shout and a cheer went up, and as it died away the
command “forward !” was given, and away went as brave a’
detachment of soldiers as ever faced an enemy.
Greatly to his delight, Elam W. Baxter was with that
portion of his regiment that had been detached to take part .
in the terrible struggle, and his quaint, good-natured re-
marks kept everybody i in good humor, even amid the rain
of deathly hail which goon greeted them.
The brave three hundred were soon marching along the
Saltillo road, toward extensive fields of sugar’ cane, which
they entered to screen their movements from the enemy’s
observation, and falling into single file they proceeded to-
ward the river.
Before reaching the intervening river the roar of cannon
from the hill told them that they had been observed, of
that the remainder of their march must be through. ¢
shower of deadly fire.
But, animated by their intrepid captain, they paused not
for a moment, and on reaching the river they dashed in
waist-deep, while shot and shell were plunging into the.
seething waters in every direction, throwing it in wildly-
dashed spray all over them.
appears to be almost miraculous.
us, and.from it we caught the feeling that we led charmed
lives, and that no Mexican bullet could harm us,
We reached Federation Hill and began the ascent, and’
what a task it was. The hill is four hundred feet in height
and very steep, and its base is covered by a dense growth of
chaparral. On reaching the base of the hill, Captain
Walker halted his men in order to make the most careful
preparation for the ascent.
During the interval large reinforcements of: Mexicans
poured into the fort, and companies of infantry and sharp-
shooters descended ‘from it, and stationed themselves on
ledges and convenient places for, the purpose of* picking off
our men as they struggled gallantly upwards, but without
being able to reply to their shots.
- Walker, sword in hand, was leading the way, and strik-
ing right ‘and left for victory,
the enemy began to waver, then slowly retreat up
towards the fortress, closely followed by the Am
who were yelling wildly at the prospect of victory, .
‘As the soldiers neared the fort, the terrifie
shrank before them, and without order, but fu
dence and daring, the Americans, led’ by
d garrison
IL of conf-
Walker, closely
Through this terrible stream the Americans tushed, and :
gained the opposite hank without loss, a circumstance that
Tt ‘seemed wonderful to’
But, after a fierce struggle,
the hill
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